Novo Nordisk Partners with ADA's Obesity Association to Advance Treatment Access and Awareness

In a significant move to address the growing obesity epidemic, Novo Nordisk has announced a multi-year partnership with the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) Obesity Association. This collaboration aims to improve access to obesity treatments, increase awareness, and combat stigma associated with the condition.

ADA's Obesity Initiative Gains Momentum

Almost exactly one year after launching its Obesity Association, the ADA has secured support from Novo Nordisk, a leading pharmaceutical company in the obesity treatment space. The partnership, announced this week, involves an undisclosed amount of funding from Novo Nordisk and explores opportunities to boost awareness, education, and innovative solutions for improving obesity care uptake.

The ADA's obesity division, which went live last June, has been advocating for more equitable access to obesity treatments and greater awareness and education around the condition. With an estimated 125 million people living with obesity in the U.S., the ADA notes that only 10% seek medical help, citing societal stigma, biases, and barriers to accessing care as key factors in this gap.

Novo Nordisk's Commitment to Obesity Management

Anna Windle, Ph.D., Novo Nordisk's senior VP of clinical development, medical and regulatory affairs, emphasized the company's holistic approach to obesity management. "We believe our responsibility to health goes well beyond the medicines we develop," Windle stated. "We are proud to support a holistic approach to the management of obesity that aids health care professionals and empowers individuals with valuable education, tools, and resources."

Novo Nordisk has been actively working towards its "mission to defeat obesity" through various initiatives. These include sharing educational resources on social media about the genetics of obesity and supporting public service announcements encouraging individuals with obesity to consult their doctors about their health.

Improving Access to Obesity Treatments

In recent months, Novo Nordisk has taken steps to improve access to its obesity treatments, particularly its GLP-1 blockbuster, Wegovy. The company has reduced the out-of-pocket price for Wegovy, offering a one-month supply to self-paying customers for $499, down from $650. This represents a significant discount from the list price of about $1,350 per month.

Furthermore, until June 30, new self-pay Wegovy customers will be charged only $199 for a month's supply. This promotional pricing comes in the wake of the May 22 deadline for compounders to stop selling knockoff versions of the drug, potentially increasing demand for the branded product.

Through these pricing strategies and its partnership with the ADA, Novo Nordisk aims to address the complexities of obesity and its related complications, striving to drive meaningful change that improves health outcomes for people living with obesity.